Letters to the Editor: For Oct. 28, 2013

I’ve enjoyed casinos for a number of years and still do, but I strongly do not support building any more privately-run casinos in New York. Recently, Gov. Cuomo brokered a deal with a few Indian-run casinos in the state. The deal was that they would pay the state $50 million plus a certain percent of their profit per year. I believe that he used this strong-armed tactic as a way of securing this agreement. This move by Gov. Cuomo and his legislative committees responsible for bringing this agreement about was nothing more than blackmail.

I believe he stated that if they didn’t agree to his plan he would push to have six or seven privately-constructed casinos built close to Indian land. This move would have adversely affected the Indian run casinos profit margin.

Large interest groups have already poured millions of dollars into this administration to secure a referendum on these casino expansions. The only individuals who would profit from this referendum, if passed, are Cuomo and the corrupt legislators within this administration — along with these large investors. We the taxpayers of New York would see very little, if any, tax relief, contrary to what Gov. Cuomo stated.

Over the past several years New York taxpayers have seen a number of corrupt legislators convicted and charged with bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, sexual misconduct and the list goes on. I do not trust this administration because the majority of them lack honesty and integrity.

Vote “no” on Nov. 5 to casino expansion.

Mario Hepp Glens Falls

Gottmann has this voter’s vote

Steve Gottmann has my vote for Malta Town Justice on Election Day, and he deserves your vote, too.

I first met Steve in a professional capacity, but have gotten to know him very well on a personal level over the last few years. Steve is a smart, talented, experienced lawyer, who is well respected by his peers in the legal community. Equally as important, though, is his reputation as a trusted friend, wonderful neighbor and dedicated husband and father.

Steve has the values we need in our Town Justice. He is hardworking, honest and fair, and above all, he cares about our community and the people in it. I have no doubt that he will devote himself to the position of Town Justice in the same way he conducts himself in every other aspect of his life-with honor and integrity.

Please join me in supporting Steve Gottmann at the polls on November 5th.

Dawn M. Phillips Malta

New York’s mental glacier

The mental glacier of New York’s “Gaming” Act is predatory legislation with risks that gamble with local economies.

The Gaming Act Proposition No. 1 vote on Nov. 5 may lower the travel distance and prey on young and elderly citizens alike, but a ‘no’ vote may protect your local economy from casino profiteers.

Unfortunately, voting on Proposition No. 1 is not a game, it’s a community gamble. This proposal risks more than any of its supporters will admit, because the highest costs of casino gambling lies in the economic sector outside the casino.

Proposition No. 1 holds a promise to decimate, region by region, our state into a larger “mindless” economy of gambling. No better strategy has been devised to gather the necessary kamikaze pilots.

The Catskills, Saratoga and other regions are in line to site casinos in a weak economy fueled by the irrational fear of being “casinoless.” Even when the economy improves, the “yes-men” communities will have already lost the bet on the few short-term revenues against a house with long-term, exportable profits.

The fallacy of gambling is monumentally foolish whose supporters are mindless, shiftless or both. The lion’s share of gambling costs are not incurred by casino owners in all the building, machines and payroll combined. The lion’s share will be cut from the economic fabric of host and neighboring communities.

It will siphon your local economy, because any regional casino operation does not create, it only transfers wealth. Approving casino licenses on Nov. 5 will make losers out of the rich and poor, young and old, students, homemakers and workers. Only the village idiot, casino owners and a fistful of backers may “win.”

Is the financial fabric of your community worth the risk? Proposition No. 1 is a proposal to socialize gambling’s costs and privatize casino profits. Be a local hero, vote ‘no.’

Scott Knox

Slingerlands

ADK county leaders urge Prop. 4, 5 passage

The Adirondacks are New York’s environmental jewel, a vacation destination for people from across our state, and home to tens of thousands of people who work and raise their families here.

By voting ‘yes’ for Propositions No. 4 and 5 on the statewide ballot, New Yorkers will expand the Adirondack Forest Preserve and open new lands for public recreation; help preserve 100 jobs in an area where they are sorely needed; and clear up unfortunate property title disputes that have lingered for more than a century for homeowners, local businesses and community organizations. Perhaps the best thing is, we can accomplish all this at no cost to taxpayers.

As local government representatives in the region most directly impacted by these propositions, we respectfully ask voters across the state to join our communities in supporting these two propositions.

Proposition No. 4 would resolve disputed property titles in the town of Long Lake that date from the 1800s and, in doing so, add great new recreational lands to the forest preserve. A statewide ballot is required to formalize a resolution that has already been agreed to by the parties involved.

Proposition No. 5 would add 1,500 acres to the preserve and protect 100 Adirondack jobs through a land swap that will allow a local mining company to temporarily extend its operations onto 200 acres of remote forest preserve land that adjoins the company’s existing mine. Once the mining work is completed, the 200 acres would be reclaimed, replanted and returned to the preserve, while the 1,500 acres will remain in state ownership.

Propositions No. 4 and 5 are win-win propositions. That’s why environmental, government, labor and business organizations and community leaders across New York are encouraging voters to “Vote Yes For The Adirondacks.” You can learn more at www.voteyesfortheadirondacks.com.

Chairman William G. Farber Hamilton County Board of Supervisors and Chairman Randall T. Douglas Essex County Board of Supervisors

Indie Party member endorses Yepsen

The current Saratoga Springs mayor’s office and, by association, deputy mayor’s office, has often been criticized for taking a “closed door” approach to governing our city.

Such criticism has been fairly placed and it would be right to assume more of the same with the deputy mayor running.

Joanne Yepsen has proven herself as someone committed to the idea of open government and has made clear that, as mayor, she will have a collaborative government that is available and works for her constituents.

As the Saratoga County supervisor representing Saratoga Springs, Joanne Yepsen has regularly hosted open meetings for her constituents and has kept the people she represents informed. She is always available, listens to her constituents and encourages all of us to be active and involved in our government.

During her four terms as Saratoga County supervisor representing Saratoga Springs, Joanne Yepsen has been working for the residents of our city. As mayor, she will continue to do so and bring with her the significant experience she has obtained as county supervisor. More importantly, she will bring with her the commitment she has long held of open and transparent government; of a government that understands the issues expressed by its constituents and of a government that responds accordingly.

Deservedly, Joanne Yepsen has earned the endorsements of the Democratic Party, the Independence Party and the Working Families Party, among many other endorsements. As a member of the Independence Party, I believe Joanne Yepsen is the right choice for Saratoga Springs and deserves our vote on Nov. 5.